PANDAS is often suspected when suddenly a child develops “neuropsychiatric” symptoms—such as obsessions and compulsions, involuntary tics, or mood changes—after a strep infection.
Defined in the mid-nineties by Dr. Susan Swedo, PANDAS stands for “pediatric autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders associated with streptococcal infections.” The simple explanation of this long term is that a strep infection is causing an immune response that’s affecting the brain of a child, causing changes in behavior.
PANS (pediatric acute-onset neuropsychiatric syndrome) is a newer term that explains similar sudden symptoms caused by strep as well as other infections and non-infectious triggers. (PANDAS is a type of PANS.) Please see this article on PANS: “Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome”)
In additional to challenges a family faces in dealing with a child’s symptoms, PANS in general and PANDAS in particular is difficult because:
The good news is that progress is being made, and children can be treated successfully.
We have addressed these issues in the sections below as well as in our e-book Your Child Has Changed. Should you Consider PANDAS? Let’s Talk
Related articles are shown below. If you don’t find what you’re looking for, you can search using the box at the upper right of the page or browse our forums. We host the largest international forum on PANS/PANDAS and related conditions.
Inflammation in the brain has been associated with a number of adverse neurological conditions, including among others, ADHD, obsessive compulsive disorder, PANDAS/PANS, autism, tic disorders and Alzheimer’s disease. A leaky blood-brain barrier allows immune molecules […]
ACN Latitudes Team When learning about PANDAS/PANS, parents struggle to understand what’s happening to their child. They also struggle to find supportive doctors and effective treatments. A medication now in FDA Phase III trials for […]
An informative question and answer session held during a symposium on PANDAS and PANS covers a range of audience topics. The YouTube video posted by the Pandas Network is 18+ minutes and should be of interest […]
Researchers have discovered how immune cells triggered by recurrent Strep A infections enter the brain, cause inflammation, and may lead to autoimmune neuropsychiatric disorders in children, including PANDAS. Children with PANDAS exhibit high levels of […]
BY HOWIE’S MOM Our journey with Pediatric Acute-Onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome (PANS) started on May 2, 2014. My healthy 9-year-old son, Howie, came home with a sudden head-jerking movement. I asked what was wrong and he […]
Dr. Susan Swedo presented a history of PANS ( Pediatric Acute-onset Neuropsychiatric Syndrome) and PANDAS (Pediatric Autoimmune Neuropsychiatric Disorders Associated with Streptococcal Infections) in the video below. Her talk was recorded October 1, 2015 at […]
VIJENDRA SINGH, PH.D. Autoimmunity is a major cause underlying many chronic diseases. There are 85 or so human conditions that are generally considered autoimmune diseases. It is estimated that 55 million Americans suffer from autoimmune diseases, in which the body’s immune system becomes activated abnormally.
Take advantage of these professional webinars to address sensory processing disorders, PANDAS, and what you can learn about neurotransmitters from the organic acids test. Don’t worry if you miss the date, the webinars are supposed […]